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Though the buzz and curiosity about IBX started to spread at the beginning of January, Famous Names kept priorities focused on the United States domestic launch of IBX at the International Salon and Spa Expo in Long Beach, California.

The team spent the weekend chatting to professionals and executing demos for anyone who asked. Famous Names says they were overwhelmed by the positive feedback, and especially thrilled that so many technicians coming through the booth had already heard about IBX. Nail techs shared that they are excited about how IBX will help their clients’ nails and grow their businesses. With interests piqued, Linda Nordstrom and Marti Manning were the true MVPs of the booth—-they strengthened nails for three full days of demos.

Famous Names plans for the new nail strengthener and repair treatment to be an industry game changer!

SpaEquip, Inc. announces the launch of The Gift of Spa, a new non-profit program that will provide spa services to the underprivileged or people in need who might otherwise never experience the healing benefits of spa treatments. Spas who buy from SpaEquip and chose to participate in the program will receive an annual 2% reimbursement of their total purchases, which they will in turn match to total 4%, and provide spa services of equal value to a local charity of their choice.

SpaEquip founder, Philippe Therene, was inspired to create the program after discussing “give back” initiatives within the spa industry with Rona Berg, Editor-In-Chief of Organic Spa magazine at a Green Spa Network Conference, as well as after listening to keynote speaker Blake Mycoskie, Tom’s Shoes founder, at the ISPA conference. To increase the amount in spa services offered to charities such as homeless and battered women’s shelters, organizations that help struggling single moms and dad, cancer patients, underprivileged teens, and other populations for whom a spa treatment might be out of reach, spas will have the option of asking other local businesses and organizations to match the 2% and increase the in-kind donation. The spa services can be performed either at the spa, at the charity’s location, or at a 3rd party location within the community.

“A spa experience always has a positive impact on my life,” says Philippe Therene of SpaEquip. “Many people don’t have that chance. Through my business I wanted to find a way for under-served individuals to enjoy
this experience, feel better about themselves and hopefully enjoy a better life. I think The Gift of Spa can help accomplish this. I am looking forward to partnering with many of our clients to spread the positive impact of spa experiences wherever possible.”

Michele Loobey-Gertsch of Akela Spa added, “Akela Spa of Deadwood is pleased to be part of The Gift of Spa. We will be introducing the “Healthy Image” program to an adolescent population who are challenged with acne. We realize what an opportunity our industry has been given to touch the lives of underprivileged students during a challenging period of life.”

The Gift of Spa is ready to launch and will be offered to spas across the country as an outreach to charitable organizations and the people they serve. For more information on how your spa can participate in The Gift of Spa Program, contact Philippe Therene at (707) 737-1112 or email philippe@spaequip.com.

It’s no secret that this month is all a-buzz with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and Spa Week is going one step further by getting to the “heart” of the matter. In addition to being the season of love, February is American Hearth Month, an effort by the American Heart Association to spotlight the importance of heart health, and for the second year in a row, Spa Week is helping raise awareness through its "Heart Over Heels" Giveaway.

Now through March 17th, visitors to SpaWeek.com will have the opportunity to promote healthy heart awareness in style by entering to win the grand prize: a pair of signature Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps. One winner will turn heads with this highly coveted, red-lacquered prize, while a runner-up will receive a prize package of beauty luxuries that will leave her feeling red-hot from head to toe!

The winner of the runner up prize will experience the renowned Red Door Spa at home with skincare and body care products from Red Door Spa Professional including the Revitalizing Foaming Gel Cleanser, Illuminating Vitamin C Activator, Cranberry Enzyme Exfoliator, Age Defense Multi-Peptide Moisturizer, Olive Oil Moisturizing Salt Scrub, Olive Oil Moisturizing Body Cream and Ultra Healing Body Balm. Complete that glowing complexion with the perfect pout courtesy of Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ legendary Lip Tar in three top-selling red shades, followed by a lustrous coat of cocktail inspired nail lacquer from Nailtini. Last, but not least, make a statement with styling products from Big Sexy Hair to really stand out in the crowd.

Spa Week will donate 25 cents to the American Heart Association for every entry received from the Second Annual Heart Over Heels Giveaway.

Spa owners and employees regularly transform clients, but now they can transform the spa itself to become a zero waste establishment. By joining the Zero Waste program from recycling pioneer TerraCycle, spa owners can collect and recycle everything from empty product tubes and bottles, old brushes and combs, latex gloves and even human hair.

TerraCycle offers a several Zero Waste Boxes that can help salons reduce their environmental impact.

Zero Waste Boxes can be purchased at http://zerowasteboxes.terracycle.com for $27.70 to $103.95, depending on the size. Once salon owners receive a box for the waste stream of their choosing, they can start collecting. Once the box is full, it is shipped to TerraCycle for processing. The shipping cost is included in the price.

According to Tamara Jercha, Sustainability Consultant and Founder of the National Association of Eco-Friendly Salons and Spas, “There was a time when eco-friendly salons and spas were considered innovators. But when market demand leads CEOs of large corporations to go beyond compliance and leave the earth a better place, the professional salon industry cannot lag behind. It is time for this billion dollar industry, capable of influencing all others by the shear multitude of people it comes in contact with daily, to lead by example, create and implement sustainable business practices.”

Doctor James Fulton, Jr., world-renowned dermatologist, is credited with hiring the first aesthetician on his medical team, was a co-developer of Retin-A and benzyl peroxide and co-founded the Vivant Skin Care line of products.

National Aesthetic Spa Network (NASN) recently honored Dr. Fulton at their 10th anniversary conference in Del Rey, FL. “Dr. Fulton did so much for our industry during his lifetime; we have a lot to thank him for and NASN is here to do that today,” said Denise R. Fuller, Founder of NASN. During the presentation, Michael Q. Pugliese, CEO, Circadia by Dr. Pugliese, Bethal, PA, spoke about the positive influence Dr. Fulton had on him and the industry, while Barbara Marzulli, owner of The Sanctuary at Traditions in Port St. Lucie, FL, and one of the first estheticians Dr. Fulton hired, said she attributes the success and longevity of her career to what she learned from him. Fulton’s daughter, Kelly Fulton-Kendrick, CEO of Vivant Skin Care accepted the award on Dr. Fulton's behalf.

The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a hub for the activities and buzz surrounding Award season and its spa is a haven to the stars. SpaRitual has partnered with the iconic hotel to create an exclusive new polish experience with The Award Season Nail Lacquer Collection. The collection features shades inspired by the magic and glamour of the Golden Globes, SAG, Grammys, Oscars and Emmys. Outstanding Performance, The Manicure Goes To, Star Quality, Make an Entrance, After Party and Step & Repeat are dynamic, striking shades that capture the emotion and recognition of the entertainment world.